Practice putter with pointed striking surface

ABSTRACT

A practice putter comprised of a shaft and a putter head attached to the shaft. The putter head is comprised of a first substantially V-shaped assembly and a second substantially V-shaped assembly.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION

This application claims priority based upon provisional patentapplication 61/068,160, filed on Mar. 5, 2008

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

A practice putter comprised of a head with a striking surface that ispointed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Practice golf putter heads are known to those skilled in the art. Thus,e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 3,384,376 discloses a practice putter head that hasstriking pin. U.S. Pat. 3,021,141 discloses a putter head comprised of aU-shaped device. U.S. Pat. No. 3,194,564 a practice putter headcomprised of a pair of pins within which the golf ball is to be disposedprior to putting.

None of the prior art devices is entirely satisfactory. It is an objectof this invention to provide an improved practice golf putter comprisedof a putter head that will facilitate more accurate putting.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with this invention, there is provided a practice puttercomprised of a shaft and a putter head attached to said shaft, whereinsaid putter head comprised of two striking surfaces, each of whichcomprises a substantially V-shaped assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described by reference to the specification, theclaims, and the following drawings, in which like numerals refer to likeelements, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of one preferred embodiment ofapplicant's practice putter;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the putter of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the putter of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the putter of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the putter of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

It is one of the objectives of this invention to provide a practiceputter head which will enable the practicer to establish the position inwhich the practice putter head should be held to hit the ball along thedesired path to the golf hole.

It is another objective of the invention to provide a practice putterhead which will, due to its V shaped pointed striking surface, provideimmediate feedback as to whether the V shaped point striking surfacestruck the ball in the middle of the golf ball and if the practiceputter head remained at the desired angle from set up, to pull backstroke, through hitting the ball, and throughout the follow through. Ifit is not done properly, the ball will immediately move in the directionof the side of the V shaped point that is wrongly struck. As in alllearning, immediate feedback is imperative; and this practice putterhead provides such immediate feedback as to allow the practicer to makenecessary adjustments right away.

It is yet another objective of this invention to provide, through the Vshaped striking point, a means of determining a portion of the pathalong which the golf ball is intended to follow in order to roll intothe golf hole.

Yet another objective of the invention is to provide the player with ameans of developing what is known as “muscle memory”, meaning withconsistent and successful practice, the muscles in the arms, wrists, andhands will “remember” the feeling of the appropriate pull back stroke,striking position of the putter, and the follow through stroke.

Yet another objective of this invention is to provide a practice putterthat is simple in design, economical to produce, effective for bothindoor and outdoor practice, equally effective for any age/sex golfer,equally effective for both right and left handed golfers, and pleasingto the eye.

There have been many putting training aids on the market. None havefocused almost entirely on developing “muscle memory” in the hands,wrists, and arms without the assistance of some type of rail system usedto guide the putter. One of the primary reasons golfers miss putts isthat in the midst of pulling the putter head back in preparation for thefore stroke, the putter face turns and does not remain straight, causingthe ball to roll in a direction different than intended when the golferinitially lined up the putt. The V shaped point used as the strikingsurface of the practice putter head invention serves as a visual aid inassuring the putter point continues to point in the desired directionduring back stroke, fore stroke, and follow through. It also serves asan immediate source of feedback. If the putter head face does not remainstraight during back stroke, fore stroke, and follow through, the pointof the V will not strike the ball in the center and the ball willimmediately roll in the direction the putter head's V shaped point waspointing upon impact. The golfer will know exactly what correctiveaction must be taken to correct the error in their putting stroke.

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of a practice putter 10 comprisedof a shaft 17 connected to a putter head 20. As will be apparent, theshaft 17 is not drawn to scale and is substantially longer thanindicated in the Figure.

In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, the shaft is attached to a grip16. This grip 16 can be made of rubber, leather, neoprene, or any otherstandard golf putter grip material. The size of the grip can be standardgolf club grip size, oversized for people who prefer a larger grip feelin their hands. The shape of this grip can be round, or flat on thefront of the grip where the golfer normally places his/her thumbs. Thelength of the grip is approximately 10 inches (in one embodiment), butit can be other lengths.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the putter head 20 may be any shape thatputter heads conventionally have, including rectangular, square,half-moon, blade, and other shapes. In general, the putter headsconventionally have a front side and back side. Putter head 20 has sucha front side 19 (corresponding to its “right side”), and a back side 21(corresponding to its “left side”).

Extending from front side 19 is a first substantially V-shaped assembly23. Extending from back side 21 is a second substantially V-shapedassembly 25. These V-shaped assemblies provide the striking surfacesused in applicant's practice putter; and they will be described ingreater detail elsewhere in this specification.

Referring again to FIG. 1, also extending from front side 19 are wings27 and 29. Extending from back side 21 are wings 31 and 33. Such wings27, 29, 31, and 33 may be the same or different. In one embodiment, theyhave substantially the same weight, substantially the same size, andsubstantially the same shape. Without wishing to be bound by anyparticular theory, applicant believes that these wings provide abalanced feel to his practice putter.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the putter shaft 17 is preferably cylindricalin shape and can vary in length from the standard putter shaft length toany length desired by the golfer. The standard diameter of the shaft ispreferably 0.370 inches, but can be larger or smaller. The shaft can bemade of steel, graphite, aluminum, wood, fiberglass, or any combinationof materials. The shaft can be “stepless”, “double bend”, “straight” orother variations of the above mentioned types. The shaft 17 is presentto assist the golfer in moving the practice putter head in the desireddirection and with the desired speed as to propel the golf ball in thedirection of the golf hole. In the embodiment depicted, the shaft 17 ispreferably anchored into the putter head 20 by being affixed into apre-placed hole (not shown) on the top surface of the practice putterhead 20. The material used to affix the shaft 17 into the hole (notshown) can be any type of glue, epoxy, or other bonding material.

The practice putter head 20 can be made of metal, wood, fiberglass, orany combination of materials desired.

Referring again to FIG. 1, and in the preferred embodiment depicted, thetop surface 14 of putter head 20 is comprised of an alignment line 13that preferably extends from the first substantially V-shaped assembly23 to the second substantially V-shaped assembly 25, and also fromstriking surface 35 to striking surface 37. The alignment line 13 ispreferably a slot 13 that is cut into the surface 14 to a depth of fromabout 0.02 to about 0.20 inches. The alignment line 13 assists thegolfer in aligning the putter head 20 with the golf ball (not shown).

The substantially V-shaped assemblies 23 and 25 can provide differentstriking surfaces 35 and 37. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1,striking surfaces 35 and 37 are substantially flat. In anotherembodiment, not shown, striking surfaces 35 and 37 are arcaute. Inanother embodiment, not shown, striking surfaces 35 and 37 present sharpV-shaped points. The term “substantially V-shaped assembly” is meant tocomprehend each of these (and other) assemblies with each of these (andother) striking surfaces. Similarly, the term “pointed” refers tostriking surfaces that may be flat, arcuate, or sharply V-shaped.

Referring again to FIG. 1, it will be apparent that practice putter 10can advantageously be used by both right-handed and left-handed golfers.Whether a golfer using the putter is left or right handed, the surfaces35 and 37 are substantially the same. The alignment line 13 extends fromone striking surface 35 to another striking surface 37 to assist inaligning either of such striking surfaces with a golf ball. Thetriangular designs 12 on each corner of the head 20 are used to assistwith direction. In one embodiment, the length 39 of the putter head 20is about 4 inches.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the putter 10. FIG. 3 is a side view of suchputter 10.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of putter head 20 that, in the embodimentdepicted, is a small hallowed out oval 24 that is there only to lessenthe weight of the putter head 20. It serves no other purpose and can bepresent or not.

Best Mode for Using the Practice Putter 10

The golfer will hold the grip 16 of the shaft 17 and align the sweetspot point (35 or 37) and the center line 13 so that the sweet spot isperpendicular to the golfer's line of sight and lined up with the centerof a golf ball. The direction the golfer wishes to hit the golf ball isan extension of the center line indicator 13 passing through the sweetspots 35 and 37, through the center of the ball and directly in linewith the intended target The golfer lines the practice putt up bybringing the practice putter head to rest with the sweet spot butted upto the center of the golf ball with an imaginary line extending from theactual center line indicator 13 through the sweet spot, through the golfball continuing along the desired path and ending in the center of thegolf hole. Once the golfer has lined up the practice putter head 20,he/she proceeds with a back stroke, whereby the putter is pulled in abackward motion straight back away from the golf ball. The goal is forthe practice putter head 20 to be pulled back as straight as possible,keeping the practice putter sweet spot maintaining the imaginary lineduring this backstroke, keeping the practice putter head 20 as straightand steady as possible. The golfer would then commence a forward stroke,again attempting to maintain the imaginary line to the golf hole as thesweet spot of the putter strikes the golf ball in the exact center ofsaid ball and pushing the golf ball in the intended direction in orderfor the golf ball to complete its roll into the hole. While such astroke is desired, there are numerous errors a golfer can make resultingin a miss hit golf ball and a missed putt. This practice putter head 20will give immediate feedback as to what error was made during theputting stroke by the direction the golf ball rather than straight tothe intended target, the golf hole. Using the sweet spot on the front ofthe practice putter head during subsequent practice strokes, the golfercan not only correct the mistake, but also build what is known as“muscle memory”, so that the muscles in the hands, wrists, and arms willautomatically repeat the desired back swing and the follow through ofthe putt.

This practice putter head 20 invention can be used by anyone of golfage; man, woman, or child. It can be used on an outside practice green,inside a house, hotel room, or anywhere a useable surface is present. Itis useful inside during extended periods of inclement weather to perfectthe putting stroke. It can be used with equal ease by left or righthanded golfers.

It is contemplated that initially, this invention will be utilized withshort practice putts, say 2 feet or less, until the golfer begins todevelop the “muscle memory” to draw the practice putter head 20 straightback and straight through every time, which is the ultimate goal of theinvention. As the golfer becomes more proficient with the invention, itis assumed that he/she will move incrementally farther from the targetas to gain confidence with longer, more difficult putts.

While particular aspects of the invention (practice putter 20) must beillustrated to respect its ultimate purpose, modifications may be madeas long as they fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

1. A practice putter comprised of a shaft and a putter head attached tosaid shaft, wherein said putter head is comprised of a firstsubstantially V-shaped assembly and a second substantially V-shapedassembly.
 2. The practice putter as recited in claim 1, wherein saidputter head is comprised of a front side and a back side.
 3. Thepractice putter as recited in claim 2, wherein said first substantiallyV-shaped assembly extends outwardly from said front side.
 4. Thepractice putter as recited in claim 3, wherein said second substantiallyV-shaped assembly extends outwardly from said back side.
 5. The practiceputter as recited in claim 4, wherein said putter head is comprised of atop surface.
 6. The practice putter as recited in claim 5, wherein saidtop surface is comprised of an alignment line.
 7. The practice putter asrecited in claim 6, wherein said first substantially V-shaped assemblyis comprised of a first flat surface.
 8. The practice putter as recitedin claim 7, wherein said second substantially V-shaped assembly iscomprised of a second flat surface.
 9. The practice putter as recited inclaim 8, wherein said alignment line extends from said first flatsurface to said second flat surface.
 10. The practice putter as recitedin claim 9, wherein a first wing and a second wing extend outwardly fromsaid front side.
 11. The practice putter as recited in claim 20, whereina third wing and a fourth wing extend outwardly from said back side.